Random Gloats: Of gifts and rides and communities

[ed_rex]

Sometimes (just sometimes), it seems as if there might be something to that whole karma idea. And today is one of those times.

I'm pretty terrible when it comes to gift-giving. Birthdays, Christmases, weddings ... I usually ignore the social obligations or do the stereotypical male thing of running around at the very last minute and finally coming up with a book or booze. But usually, I ignore and offer no physical present at all. (Strangely enough — or may not so strangely — I don't get many presents either; but I'm okay with that.) I tell myself that I express that which presents symbolize in other ways and I think the people in my life agree.

But sometimes, just sometimes, I get to feel the Joy of Giving and it can be a rather wonderful sensation indeed ...

I do most of my local traveling by bicycle — or did, until Raven and I started walking just about everywhere. So I've been talking about getting Raven onto two wheels for a while (and not just because she sometimes treats me as a beast of burden!).

This past weekend, Raven found an ad on Kijiji for a little-used bike that looked like it was in very good shape and that was said to come with a helmet, two locks, saddles-bags and an air-pump, all for a hundred bucks.

So, Sunday afternoon, we took bused over to Hull Gatineau and met the sixty-ish woman who had traded in her bicycle for an electric scooter.

Long story short, the bike was just what had been advertised. I had to change a tire, then we both took it for brief spins and then I rode it home, just busting with pleasure at the thought that Raven was soon going to be enjoying life on two wheels. (She had never cycled in traffic before and hadn't been on a bike since her days in university back in China. And the Gatineau transit system doesn't permit bikes on-board.)

Anyway.

We've now taken a couple of rides along the canal and last night ventured into the streets for a shopping trip to Chinatown. (She's still a little nervous, but she's doing just fine, thankyouverymuch!)

All of which is to say, I still break into a happy smile every time I see the bike, let alone see her on it. And I can honestly say that gift-givng can provide a great deal of pleasure (though I still hate shopping just because a particular day rolls around).

And as if in response, this morning I received an email ...

... and I now find myself the "owner" of the canadianpolitics community. I've been more or less the only person posting there and the former owner decided to give it up. He/she said they were going to delete it if I didn't want it, so what could I say? We'll see if I can make something of it.

And by "I", of course, I mean "you". Consider this an invitation to join the community if you have any interest in Canadian politics! Or in the vagaries of karmic fate.